Business Modeling and Solving Business Problems in Excel

Use Excel's modeling tools—What-If, Goal Seek, Scenarios, and Solver—to analyze and solve business problems.

What you'll learn
- Learn to perform what-if analysis using one- and two-input data tables in Excel.
- Use Goal Seek to find input values that achieve desired results in formulas.
- Optimize product margins by applying Goal Seek and understanding its approximations.
- Conduct break-even analysis to determine sales needed for profitability.
- Solve algebraic equations using Excel’s Goal Seek and formula techniques.
- Create, edit, and manage multiple scenarios for comparing business outcomes.
- Generate summary reports to analyze different business scenarios efficiently.
- Use Solver to solve complex optimization problems with constraints in Excel.
- Customize Solver options and interpret Solver’s messages and reports.
- Save Solver solutions as scenarios for easy comparison and decision-making.

Requirements
- Microsoft Excel (Office 2021 or Microsoft 365) installed.
- Basic knowledge of Excel (e.g., entering data, simple calculations).
- Access to a computer with a stable internet connection.
- No prior advanced Excel skills required; suitable for beginners.

Description
This course provides comprehensive training on Excel’s powerful business modeling tools designed to enhance decision-making and problem-solving skills. Students will learn to perform advanced what-if analysis using one- and two-input data tables, allowing them to explore different scenarios and forecast outcomes effectively. The course covers Goal Seek techniques to identify precise input values needed to achieve specific targets, including optimizing product margins and conducting break-even analyses.

Learners will gain hands-on experience solving algebraic equations and managing multiple business scenarios, including creating, editing, merging, and generating summary reports for scenario comparison. This systematic approach helps users evaluate different strategies and make data-driven decisions with confidence.

A significant focus is placed on mastering Solver, Excel’s robust optimization tool. Students will learn how to load Solver, define objective functions, set constraints, and interpret Solver’s messages and reports. They will explore various Solver options and strategies to handle complex optimization problems in finance, marketing, operations, and more.

Through practical exercises and real-world case studies, this course equips professionals, analysts, managers, and students with the skills to automate complex calculations, optimize resources, and improve strategic planning. It is ideal for anyone looking to leverage Excel’s advanced features to drive better business outcomes and increase efficiency in their work.

Who this course is for:
- This course is for business professionals seeking to improve decision-making with Excel.
- Ideal for analysts who need to perform data-driven what-if analyses and forecasts.
- Perfect for managers who want to optimize product margins and costs effectively.
- Great for students studying finance, business, or data analytics.
- Suited for Excel users aiming to master Goal Seek and Solver tools.
- Helpful for accountants needing to run break-even and scenario analyses.
- Designed for anyone who wants to automate complex problem-solving in Excel.
- Useful for professionals responsible for strategic planning and budgeting.
- Suitable for data enthusiasts interested in optimization and modeling techniques.
- Also for teams looking to enhance collaboration through scenario management.
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